Both very different. San Pedro/Ambergris is more socially active with a larger selection of hotels, restaurants/bars and people. The reef is a mile from most hotel docks and you can do 2.5 hrs snorkel trips starting at 20.00pp and one tank dives. Also good location to accesss the Blue Hole and Turneffe atolls.
Plaecncia is more laid back and has smaller more intimaet beachfront inns. Diving and snorkeling are fullday trips, starting at 45.00 and 67.00pp for two tank dive.
Drive from Cayo to Placencia should be around 3.5 hrs, give or take for stops and road conditions. By bus, much longer, lots of stops along the way.
Katie Valk
Maya Travel Services